Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang hailed China's relations with Laos and Slovakia during his respective meetings Saturday with visiting Lao's deputy Prime Minister Somsavat Lengsavad and Slovakian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Jan Mikolaj.

Somsavat and Mikolaj were here to attend the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games on Friday evening.

When conferring with Somsavat, Li said China and Laos share long tradition of friendship and the bilateral relations saw a boost when entering the new century.

China will unswervingly stick to its policy to promote the friendly relations with Laos and join in hands with Lao side to step up the bilateral comprehensive and cooperative relations to a higher level, Li noted.

Somsavat pledged that the Lao government and its ruling party would spare no efforts to score new achievement in the bilateral cooperation.

Li also applauded for the China-Slovakia relations which would come to its 60th anniversary next year.

China hopes to see the two country make concerted efforts to boost the bilateral relations to a historical new height, Li said.

Mikolaj said that Slovakia admires China's achievement in economic development and will continue to deepen its mutually-beneficial cooperation with China.

Mikolaj also expressed his best wish for the Beijing Olympics.

(Xinhua News Agency August 10, 2008)